PCR techniques have paved the way for innovation in life sciences research and molecular diagnostics through its most potential features such as absolute detection and quantification of genetic materials such as DNA and RNA. Researchers are able to quantify and analyze rare alleles and point mutations using advanced PCR systems such as digital PCR. Currently, the market players are engaged in developing PCR systems with enhanced capabilities such as broad menu of tests, higher sensitivity and specificity. Other major advances associated with the PCR include shorter turnaround times (PCR cycling time), higher productivity and automated workflow; thereby ensuring efficient detection and amplification of genetic materials with accurate results. The market is witnessing significant advances in the design of PCR platforms shifting from conventional standard PCR to real time and digital PCR systems to efficiently detect pathogenic microbes such as mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria and influenza viruses. For instance, introduction of QX200 Droplet Digital PCR System by Bio-Rad provides a broad menu of molecular diagnostic tests and enhanced workflow to enable overall cost reduction and eliminate the need for multiple systems. The global PCR market is valued at USD 6,065 million in 2013 and is expected to reach USD 9,621.0 million with the CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period of 2014 to 2020.

Although, the use of PCR has been mostly confined to research institutions, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, currently, the market has seen an increasing preference of PCR in the commercial diagnostic laboratories and hospitals due to precise diagnoses of life-threatening diseases such as cancer and Ebola. Multi-chain diagnostic laboratories are currently focusing on expanding their operations in less developed areas by acquiring standalone laboratories with minimal infrastructure. Therefore, a strong demand for compact and portable PCR with high reliability and sensitivity is created. All these features along with high affordability are expected to provide impressive growth opportunities for PCR market.

The PCR market is broadly classified on the basis of product segments, end-users and application areas. Among the product segments, reagents and consumables remain the most widely used segment with the largest share in the net sales across various companies, considering the global sales of USD 4,072.2 million in 2013. Among various end-users of PCR, academics and research organization was accounted for the largest market share of overall market in 2013, followed by clinical diagnostic labs and hospitals segment. However, clinical diagnostics segment is likely to grow at an impressive pace during the forecast period of 2014 to 2020. Among the PCR applications area, the life sciences segment is the largest application area covering more than 48% of the total PCR market followed by clinical diagnostics segment with 33% of the market share. The majority market share by the life sciences segment corresponded to its wider acceptance in the cancer research, which is also amongst the oldest segments of PCR application.

Geographically, North America accounted for the largest share of global PCR market in 2013 followed by Europe. These two regions are expected to retain their position throughout the forecast period 2014 to 2020. This is majorly attributed to the presence of technologically sophisticated diagnostic laboratories along with wider acceptance of novel assay technologies. The North American region was among the first to approve and implement the PCR based assays for diagnosis of infectious diseases such as HIV. The Asia Pacific region on the other hand is expected to represent the highest growth rate during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the growing investment in research and development in the region by the Government and private investors. China for example, is at present the world’s second largest investor in research and development according to the World Bank data.

The overall PCR market is consolidated and characterized by the presence of few established players accounting for more than 50% of the total market share. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Roche Diagnostics, Abbott Laboratories, Agilent Technologies and Sigma-Aldrich Corporation Beckman Coulter, Bio-Rad, Becton Dickinson and QIAGEN are some of the key players operating in this market.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) enables DNA sequencing and helps in determining the order of its building blocks. PCR finds applications in disease diagnosis, forensic sciences, and identification of bacteria and viruses. PCR is an excellent technique for rapid detection of microbial contamination and pathogens, including those complicated to culture. These techniques are precise and robust methods that rely on polymerase enzyme to amplify trace amounts of DNA/RNA fragments by creating several identical or near-identical copies. The demand for greater efficiency and productivity in the pharmaceutical industry has led to the growth of this market.

The report on the global PCR Market studies the global PCR market in terms of products, end-users, applications and geography. Each of these segments has been analyzed in detail for market trends, recent developments, outlook and opportunities and various applications. The report provides the market size in terms of value (USD million) for each segment and sub-segment for the period from 2012 to 2020, considering the macro- and micro environmental factors. In addition, the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of the overall market and the segments has also been included in the report for the forecast period from 2014 to 2020, considering 2012 and 2013 as the base years.

The PCR products studied in this report include instruments, and reagents and consumables. Instruments are further classified by type such as standard PCR, quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) and digital PCR (dPCR). Pharmaceutical and biotech industries, clinical diagnostic laboratories, hospitals, academics and public research organizations are the major end-users of the global PCR market. PCR Applications segment has been further categorized as clinical diagnostics, life sciences and others such as forensic sciences, agriculture and nanotoxicity studies.

Geographically, the market has been segmented into four regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). The market size and forecast in terms of value (USD Million) for each of these regions along with the CAGR for the forecast period from 2014 to 2020 have been provided in the report. A detailed qualitative analysis of the major factors determining market dynamics such as drivers, restraints and opportunities, along with the market attractiveness analysis are discussed in the market overview section of the report. The study provides a list of recommendations for new companies willing to enter the market and for existing companies to increase market shares, which is likely to help in the decision-making process. Event impact analysis has also been provided in this report that will help in understanding the major events impacting the PCR market growth.

The study is a robust combination of primary and secondary research. Primary research formed the bulk of our research efforts with information collected from telephonic interviews and interaction via e-mails. Secondary research involved study of company websites, annual reports, press releases, stock analysis presentations, and various international and national databases for patents, clinical trials, demographics, disease incidence/prevalence, etc. For estimating the market size in terms of value, revenue generation by the PCR instruments, and reagents and reaction consumables has been considered. Most of the leading players in the PCR market manufacture both consumables as well as instruments. The level of product differentiation plays a major role in determining the market position of these players. Several players are trying to enter and establish themselves in the PCR market, especially in emerging economies. Major players operating in this market are Affymetrix, Inc., Agilent Technologies, Inc., Sigma Aldrich Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, Beckman Coulter, Bio-Rad Laboratories, GE Healthcare, QIAGEN, Becton Dickinson & Company and Thermo Fischer Scientific.

Campylobacter infection is an abnormality observed in the digestive system caused by campylobacter bacteria. The most common sources of campylobacter infection are unpasteurized milk, raw poultry, or uncooked vegetables.
...

Hemostasis is the process where platelets, blood vessels, and coagulation factors act together to arrest bleeding. Hemostasis occurs by the coagulation process where blood is solidified from liquid to gel state through serial enzymatic steps.
...